Valve Could Ditch Using a Custom Processor for Steam Deck 2 in Favor of One That Might Outperform the PlayStation 6/Xbox Project Helix

[Peter_Brosdahl]

It’s now rumored that Valve may choose to use an off-the-shelf AMD processor to power the Steam Deck 2 for a greater generational leap. Valve has previously confirmed that the Steam Deck 2 is still probably years away, something rumors continue to support, with release happening sometime in 2028 or possibly 2029. Pierre-Loup Griffais, lead […]

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[Brian_B]

I mean, anything is possible really. Current Steam Deck was custom but it wasn't a huge deviation from anything you could buy off the shelf.

 

[Uvilla]

I mean, anything is possible really. Current Steam Deck was custom but it wasn't a huge deviation from anything you could buy off the shelf.

Eggxactly.
Im sure by the time they are deciding, theyll probably do custom anyway, unless theres too much issues with the # of units they need to pay out of the gate or something.

 

[Brian_B]

I have a feeling they only did "Custom" because AMD gave them a deal on some wafers that binned out too low

 

[Brian_B]

Eggxactly.

icwydt

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Makes way more sense to use off the shelf.

 

[Marees]

I get the feeling that valve could go for qualcomm apu fabbed on samsung

AMD fabbed on TSMC would be unaffordable, imo

Intel 18a is an option, but Intel needs to demontrate GPU capabilities on their fabs

outside chance is AMD zen 7 fabbed on samsung !!

 

[Grimlakin]

I think Steam is more interested in making the best gaming potato they can. Meaning it will be capable but won't need a long lifecycle in the market. They are creating a market much like they did with linux based hand held gaming devices. They prove the market. Let everyone else jump in with 'better' devices and then sit back and reap their 30% of every game sale.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Lord Gaben as they call him, and Valve/Steam, are probably the most favorably viewed leader and company in the gaming space. Having their own branded hardware and OS is working out. Never underestimate brand power.

 

[Uvilla]

Im getting a feeling there wont be any Steam Deck built anywhere in asia, we may get a deck in 2037 possibly made in the USA.

 

[Brian_B]

I think Steam is more interested in making the best gaming potato they can.

I don't think it's a bad strategy honestly. Graphics and FX can only get you so far, it's the games (and the communities that spring up around the games) that drive revenue and engagement.

I mean, honestly... who would have thought the top money-making entertainment IP in the world ... not Star Wars. Not Grand Theft Auto. Not Call of Duty or Madden franchise.... Not Mickey Mouse. Not DC Universe or Marvel. But Pokemon. By a long long ways too. And that has always run on a potato.

Roblox looks like Minecraft vomited up a bag of Skittles. And both of those titles are huge money makers. If I go to Steam right now and look at Top Sellers... the one on top right now is CS2, which is ... almost 14 years old now? And almost every other game on that list is pixel or mobile-quality graphics, and the rest of what are left over are mostly capable of being tuned down to run on a potato if necessary.

Your hardware only needs to be good enough... It's only people like us, on these forums, that really chase those last few frames or must check every last box in the graphics options - and at great expense

 

[Grimlakin]

It's only people like us, on these forums, that really chase those last few frames or must check every last box in the graphics options - and at great expense

Lets be real it's always the people willing to spend for the best be that tv's, refrigerator's, or PC gaming that drive the rest of that segment of the industry forward.

With the abandonment of the DIY space advancement for home compute will slowly grind to a halt until money shifts.